From the Keto explosion to allergy-free food tech, 2018 has been a year of disruptive CPG trends. Our snack experts have been keeping a pulse on it all, scouring Expo floors and tracking our Members’ favorites. Plus, our acquisition of Love With Food and its data insights platform EdgiLife gives us an even deeper look at what our Members love.
We’ve rounded up the top 10 CPG trends that dominated 2018 and are expected to drive the new wave of 2019 innovations.
Seaweed Makes Waves
Consumer demand for the salty, vitamin-packed macroalgae has urged brands to develop different formulations – Think tempura seaweed snacks and seaweed rice bites.
SN Favorite: Nora Snacks
Say Cheese
Cheese has never been so snackable. Brands have unlocked the key to delivering 100% cheese in packable form: as a solo snack, a wine’s partner in crime, or a dip’s favorite chip.
SN Favorite: Parm Crisps
The Dark Side
A complete 180 from 2017’s unicorn colored everything, black-hued foods have made their mark. From activated charcoal in lemonade to vegetable ash covered goat cheese, black is the new black.
SN Favorite: Eden Foods
Eating Your Collagen
Brands are taking collagen supplements off the shelves and putting them in jerkies, bars and bites, delivering the same high quality snacks with even more health benefits.
SN Favorite: Country Archer Jerky Bars with Poultry Collagen
A New Way to Wrap
Brands have listened to the masses and are ditching the carbs and gluten for sandwich and wrap alternatives, winning the hearts of Paleo and Keto tribes in the process.
SN Favorite: Sunfood SUPERFOODS Raw Organic Coconut Wraps
Grain-Free For All
No longer reserved for the gluten intolerant, some Millennial consumers are choosing gluten-free and even nixing all grains from their diet. Cue brands bringing their best grain-free puffs, bars, granolas, and more to market aisles.
SN Favorite: Jackson’s Honest Grain-Free Puffs
Grab a Bite
While the snack bar is still tried and true, brands are having fun playing with different formulations that take on the shape of bites and balls.
SN Favorite: TCHO Bites
Hello Keto
The high fat, low carb diet has officially arrived. While it’s been around for years, CPG brands are now speaking directly to the tribe with ‘Keto-friendly’ callouts on product packaging.
SN Favorite: Bhu Fit Foods
Bold, Beautiful Packaging
Gone are the days of heavy text and neutral colors. Brands, whether emerging or recently rebranded, are coming in strong with bright colors, bold fonts and white space.
SN Favorite: SmartSweets
Turmeric to the Rescue
The vibrant orange powder has become a household name for its anti-inflammatory benefits. Now get the good mood fix can be found in your cereal or mid-day shake.
SN Favorite: Nature’s Path Organic Golden Turmeric Cereal
What were your favorite CPG trends of 2018? We want to know! Let us know in the comments below.
